Mayo PAC show illuminates creation of film special effects

Eight current, former and future governors of New Jersey — including Phil Murphy Chris Christie, Jim McGreevey and Tom Kean Sr. — appear in a promotional video for "The Outsider," opening at Papermill Playhouse on Jan. 24.

Fire and explosions are among the movie magic that will demonstrated and explained in “The Hollywood Special Effects Show.” The stage production, which includes music from films, will be presented at the Mayo Performing Arts Center this Wednesday, January 31.(Photo: Courtesy of Hollywood Special Effects Show)

On the old “SCTV” program, a couple of backwoods-types played by Joe Flaherty and the late John Candy use to encourage celebrity guests to lose their tempers, egging them on with the catchphrase, “Get blow’d up good, blow’d up real good!”

Alexandra Brynn is not looking to make people angry. But she does enjoy things getting “blow’d up real good,” and she is in a position to share her explosive interest.

Brynn is the British-born host of “Hollywood Special Effects Show,” a stage production that takes a peek behind the silver screen to reveal how movies achieve their magic, from simple fisticuffs to strange visitors from other planets.

“Audiences can expect to see everything from gunshots and stunt fighting, to the secrets of making a horror movie, to my personal favourite [sic], fire and explosions,” wrote Brynn in an e-mail.

“Hollywood Special Effects Show” will be presented at the Mayo Performing Arts Center this Wednesday, January 31.

Aided by Richard Wilson, Brynn takes audiences through a mini-history of film. “The show touches on a whole range of genres because special effects appear in all kinds of movies, from ‘Jurassic Park’ to ‘The Santa Clause’ to ‘Die Hard,’” Brynn wrote.

She further mentioned the silent comedies of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. One of the most expensive effects of the silent era was the collapse of a bridge and a railroad for Keaton’s classic “The General.”

“The Hollywood Special Effects Show,” despite its name, is actually a British import. The show was first presented in the United Kingdom in 2015. The response to that and subsequent performances have led to the current international touring company.

“The show’s production team come from a live and movie/TV special effects background,” wrote Brynn. “Credits of the team include work with live artists including Lady Gaga, Adele, and Calvin Harris.”

Members of the production team have also served as explosives consultants to the BBC and other media organizations, Brynn added.

“The show has evolved quite a bit since it started,” Brynn wrote. “The amount and type of special effects we demonstrate has grown significantly, and the whole production is on a much larger scale.”

The presentation is designed to appeal to all ages, Brynn noted. “The show features a lot of audience participation, and not just for the kids. We make sure there’s opportunities for adults to help out, too.

“We take volunteers of all ages and make sure to create special moments for everyone, whether that is with younger kids helping to create a winter wonderland or parents creating sound effects for a medieval battle,” Brynn wrote.

“With film references and jokes for both parents and kids, we hope everyone will leave with a different favourite [sic] moment,” Brynn wrote. The production also includes the theme music from many of the featured movies.

Even more important to the show’s appeal is the almost-universal curiosity about film, according to Brynn.

“I think everyone is curious about how films work,” she wrote. “And giving audiences the chance to ‘peek behind the curtain’ can only deepen and enhance both their love of movies and the whole cinematic experience.”

The show might also create an interest in the technical work that goes into filmmaking. Brynn cited such jobs as the pyrotechnicians who create fire effects and the Foley artists who deal with sound.

“There are so many jobs in this industry that most kids don’t know about,” Brynn wrote. “One of our goals with this show is to inspire and nurture a love of cinema and special effects and hopefully motivate the next generation of movie makers.”

Brynn preferred not to reveal all the films spotlighted. “There is definitely one bit that seems to especially wow audiences,” she wrote. “Let’s just say we have a very large cast mate from the Jurassic era that always seems to make quite an impact.”

IF YOU WANT TO GO

HOLLYWOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOW

WHAT: A pair of presenters, working with a team of experienced special effects consultants, offer a look at how movies achieve some of their remarkable effects.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 31

WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown.

TICKETS: $20 to $50

INFORMATION: 973-539-8008 or www.mayoarts.org.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

“The Hollywood Special Effects Show” will be presented at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on Wednesday, January 31

The live production, put together by a team of special effects consultants, offers an entertaining look at how film effects are achieved.